Caribbean RoundUp: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, and Guyana

Antigua and Barbuda

The Antigua and Barbuda government has approved a US$10 increase in the passenger head tax, raising it to US$50 for passengers entering and departing the country.

The extra revenue will help fund important regional organizations, including the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority and the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, to support essential services in Antigua and Barbuda and the wider Eastern Caribbean.

“These institutions play indispensable roles in maintaining aviation safety and oversight across the region and ensuring the effective administration of justice through the Eastern Caribbean judicial system,” a statement said.

Cabinet said Antigua and Barbuda benefits greatly from these regional institutions and should contribute fairly to support their continued operation and sustainability.

“The government emphasized that maintaining strong and adequately funded regional institutions is essential to safeguarding the interests of citizens, supporting economic growth, and preserving regional integration,” the statement added. “Cabinet further determined that travel within the Caricom region will remain exempt from the increase in keeping with the government’s commitment to promoting regional movement, strengthening economic and social ties among Caricom member states, and advancing the goals of Caribbean integration.”

The government expects the higher passenger head tax to provide steady funding for current and future obligations while keeping the impact on residents and visitors as low as possible.

“Cabinet reaffirmed its commitment to prudent fiscal management and to ensuring that Antigua and Barbuda continues to honor its regional obligations while maintaining the high standards of service and institutional support upon which the nation depends. The increase will take effect following the completion of the necessary legislative and administrative processes, details of which will be announced in due course,” the statement added.

Barbados

Sonia Boyce, acting Commissioner of Police, has been appointed Barbados’ Commissioner of Police, effective July 3, 2026, replacing the retiring Richard Boyce.

She was selected through the official appointment process and approved after the required consultations and presidential approval.

The Barbados government praised Sonia Boyce for her 40 years of service, strong leadership, integrity and professionalism in public service.

Joining the then Royal Barbados Police Force on April, 1986, she has held several policing roles, led major murder investigations that resulted in convictions, received advanced training in multiple countries, and holds a Political Science with Law degree from The University of the West Indies.

She became acting deputy commissioner in November 2025 and was responsible for overseeing administration and human resources.

Sonia has received national awards for her service and has served in regional and international policing organisations.

The Barbados government also thanked the retiring Commissioner Richard Boyce for his service and dedication, adding that Sonia’s appointment will provide continuity, professionalism, and strong leadership.

Caribbean

The Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) will invest US$10 billion by 2031 to fund projects that promote regional integration.

The investment will support infrastructure, trade, food security, energy, tourism, innovation, logistics, and mobility to improve connectivity, reduce development gaps, and boost regional competitiveness.

“CAF will support initiatives that strengthen value chains, advance the energy transition, improve food security, facilitate trade, and create greater opportunities for people and businesses across the region,” CAF said.

Executive president Sergio Díaz-Granados announced the investment after a regional integration forum in Cartagena.

He said that because of global challenges such as geopolitical tensions and trade instability, countries need stronger regional integration to improve trade, energy, food security, and economic growth.

“Integration is the answer to protecting our strategic ecosystems, creating jobs, addressing informality, and defending the democratic values that underpin our coexistence, freedom, and future,” he said.

Fifteen regional organizations signed a declaration to strengthen cooperation and coordinate regional integration efforts by aligning priorities and sharing resources.

Signatories included the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization, Organization of Ibero-American States, and Latin American Energy Organization.

“Over the last 30 years, CAF has approved 118 credit operations totaling US$16.73 billion for regional integration initiatives,” it stated. Díaz-Granados said the region must stop planning and start putting its integration plans into action.

Dominica

Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of Dominica, said he does not expect any major problems over the controversy surrounding the reappointment of Carla Barnett as Secretary-General of the 15-member CARICOM.

“The issue of the Secretary General, I don’t expect any real issues. I mean, the reality is every country has a right to express their view on who should be the Secretary-General. The Secretary-General post, under the current arrangements with Caricom, does not require a unanimous decision,” Skerrit said in a news conference.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said the island of Trinidad and Tobago will not recognise Carla Barnett after her current term ends, arguing that her reappointment did not follow the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.

However, Roosevelt Skerrit said the reappointment was decided by a simple majority vote and hopes the issue will not distract from important Caribbean matters.

“I don’t want to go back on details today, But we all know the issues affecting our citizens, every single citizen in the Caribbean, and I’m hoping that we can spend time discussing those issues and coming up with collective action that we can take to continue protecting our citizens from the cost of living challenge that we have been faced.

“So these are issues that I believe we should pre-occupy our minds with, security of the region, etc, etc,” said Skerrit.

Skerrit said he will travel to Saint Lucia to attend the four-day CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting, where regional leaders “will consider several important regional priorities, including security, food production, climate resilience, renewable energy, regional transportation, economic integration, developments in Haiti and youth development, and of the highest priority, the cost of living, which is affecting every Caricom country.”
He added that Dominica will “continue advocating practical regional solutions that strengthen resilience, deepen Caribbean inte-gration, and improve the lives of our people”.

Guyana

The government of Guyana has invited Sandals Resorts International (SRI) to open a resort in Guyana.

President Irfaan Ali urged SRI CEO Adam Stewart to establish a Sandals property, saying Guyana’s growing tourism industry, strong investment climate, and unique natural attractions make it an excellent location for a world-class eco-resort and a major opportunity for the Sandals brand.

“You will be doing your brand a great disservice if you don’t have the bold capacity that I know your brand carries…make the best possible investment decision… That decision is to work with our private sector as partners in creating Sandals’ number one eco-destination, an all-inclusive resort here in Guyana.”

Irfaan Ali said local investors are increasingly confident in Guyana’s tourism sector. He added that the country’s rich biodiversity, culture, and authentic tourism experiences give it a strong competitive advantage.

He said: “I can assure you that none will come close to you, none will match you, because none can match the beauty of this country, none can match the natural heritage of this country, and none can match the cultural significance, cultural intensity, the diverseness of our culture and the richness of our culture.”

Ali said Guyana has the potential to become a leader in ecotourism and urged the private sector to invest more. He added that the country’s future should rely not only on oil and gas but also on tourism and long-term private sector growth.